WEBVTT Kind: captions; Language: en 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.001 [...] 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:53.001 [...] 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:56.001 And so came that early April morning at an air base in Colorado. 00:00:57.001 --> 00:00:59.001 Forty flying portresses lined the apron. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.001 Four thousand men march out for a final inspection. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:05.000 They've trained long and hard with these ships. 00:01:05.001 --> 00:01:09.000 The four hundred men who fly them and the thirty six hundred who work to keep 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:12.001 them flying. Now the three fifty first bombardment group is ready 00:01:12.001 --> 00:01:14.000 by the dawn's early light. 00:01:14.001 --> 00:01:16.001 It assembles for overseas combat. 00:01:17.001 --> 00:01:19.001 You're on your way Joe. This is it. 00:01:22.001 --> 00:01:24.000 With his staff Colonel William A. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:26.000 Hatchey Jr. looks over his four squadrons. 00:01:26.001 --> 00:01:28.000 You feel the old man is proud of you. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:32.000 He finds no fault with you today nor you with him. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:34.001 You'd fly his wing to Helen Gaughton. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:38.001 Sergeant Philip J. Hall's top turret gunner from Springfield Missouri. 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:39.001 He feels that way. 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:41.000 So does his pal Kenny. 00:01:41.001 --> 00:01:44.001 Sergeant Kenneth L. Hall's ball turret gunner from Perkins, Oklahoma. 00:01:45.001 --> 00:01:46.001 Related? No. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:50.000 They think they might have been several generations ago back in Germany. 00:01:50.001 --> 00:01:54.000 But now just two guys with the same uncle Sam. 00:01:55.001 --> 00:01:57.000 Meet their pilot Lieutenant Theodore. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.000 Our Geropoulos of Reading California. 00:01:59.001 --> 00:02:03.001 Our brothers in the Air Corps to their dad was born in Greece. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:06.000 Yes the Greeks have a word for it. 00:02:06.001 --> 00:02:06.001 Fight. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:11.000 Their bombardier Lieutenant Daniel F. Stevens of Chicago. 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:14.000 He can bet a thousand with an art and bomb site. 00:02:15.001 --> 00:02:17.000 Sergeant Paul J. Posty Paul Terry Connor. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.000 His dad came from Italy. 00:02:19.001 --> 00:02:21.000 Paul was formerly a pastry cook. 00:02:21.001 --> 00:02:23.000 He's got one brother in the Navy. 00:02:23.001 --> 00:02:26.000 [...] a Marine missing in action. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:30.000 Here's Sergeant Tim Touchit tail gunner from Mariana Lake, New Mexico. 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:33.000 On the reservation they named him Pock Key. 00:02:33.001 --> 00:02:34.001 That means boy in Navajo. 00:02:35.001 --> 00:02:37.000 Uncle Sam's boy too. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:40.000 A few last minute instructions and we're off. 00:02:40.001 --> 00:02:41.001 The compass points northeast. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:47.000 Take another look down there. 00:02:47.001 --> 00:02:49.000 That's your part of the earth. 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:52.001 Out of that desert those mountains those fields has 00:02:52.001 --> 00:02:54.000 grown the American way of life. 00:02:54.001 --> 00:02:56.000 What you're fighting for. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:02:58.001 You remember the Colonel's quiet word. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:03.000 Then the enemy has asked for it. 00:03:03.001 --> 00:03:04.000 Let him have it. 00:03:04.001 --> 00:03:08.000 Seek no quarter nor give any beyond reason. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:09.001 Be firm. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:10.001 Be just. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:13.000 And Godspeed you all. 00:03:14.001 --> 00:03:17.001 Eight and a half hours out of Newfoundland and other sunrise. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:20.001 It's rising out of the red of battle. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:28.000 But 40 more B-17 three minutes apart have roared across the Atlantic night. 00:03:29.001 --> 00:03:32.000 The Irish coast looks up to say top of the morning. 00:03:34.001 --> 00:03:37.001 And a lake in the Ulster Highlands gives the navigator a checkpoint. 00:03:38.001 --> 00:03:42.000 Off the Scottish coast Durnia Craig is a signal for right runners south 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:44.000 across the English midterms. 00:03:47.001 --> 00:03:49.001 Pilots are impatient with lack of sleep. 00:03:50.001 --> 00:03:52.000 That up boy pour on the coal. 00:03:52.001 --> 00:03:53.001 Let's get there. 00:04:19.001 --> 00:04:22.001 Yes it must have been a lot different when the wings carried swastikas 00:04:22.001 --> 00:04:24.000 instead of these big white stars. 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:26.000 Don't worry folks. 00:04:26.001 --> 00:04:27.001 We're dropping nothing today. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:28.001 Just our hats. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:29.001 In the ring. 00:04:30.001 --> 00:04:31.001 Hello Missy. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:35.001 We brought something for you and brother chewing gum and chocolate bars. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:38.000 And this is creative on the ball turret. 00:04:40.001 --> 00:04:41.001 Oh there grandpa. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:44.000 We'll be seeing you for at last. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:50.000 There is the base 400 acres of dispersal areas. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:56.001 The RAF is on hand to welcome us. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:00.001 Set her down Colonel. 00:05:00.001 --> 00:05:01.001 Set her down. 00:05:04.001 --> 00:05:14.001 The 351st becomes part of the 8th Air Force. 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:16.001 We've reached the battlefront. 00:05:17.001 --> 00:05:22.001 The combat crews move into English barracks. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:24.001 They give them those simple 00:05:24.001 --> 00:05:26.001 quiet names for which Americans are able to [...] hands on. 00:05:26.001 --> 00:05:27.001 The Americans are famous. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:44.001 Two weeks later the ground crews arrive. 00:05:45.001 --> 00:05:46.000 Hi August. 00:05:46.001 --> 00:05:47.000 Great boat trip huh? 00:05:47.001 --> 00:05:50.000 Only seven days and without any escort too. 00:05:50.001 --> 00:05:52.000 See any submarines? 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:54.000 Oh a hundred of them huh? 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:56.001 Well I guess you want to know because they tell me you 00:05:56.001 --> 00:05:58.000 was hanging over the rail all the way. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:01.000 Next day big doings. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:02.001 Class A uniform. 00:06:03.001 --> 00:06:04.000 Shine those buttons. 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:07.000 His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. 00:06:07.001 --> 00:06:10.001 Brother to the King of England drops in and is greeted by the old man. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:12.000 What's up? 00:06:13.001 --> 00:06:16.001 Sergeant Major says the RAF is handing over the field to us. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:44.001 On behalf of the Air Ministry I hand over this aerodrome complete with buildings 00:06:44.001 --> 00:06:47.000 and equipment for your safekeeping. 00:06:47.001 --> 00:06:52.000 It gives me great pleasure to accept this station on behalf 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:53.001 of the United States Army Air Force. 00:07:14.001 --> 00:07:15.000 [...] 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:18.001 If we can fit your boots, we'll walk it straight brother. 00:07:25.001 --> 00:07:26.001 Another surprise visitor. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:29.001 General Arnold himself doing a world inspection flight. 00:07:30.001 --> 00:07:32.001 He tells you you've got a tough assignment. 00:07:33.001 --> 00:07:36.001 This is one head man who knows and doesn't kid you. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:42.001 We have the privilege to meet General Aker. Commanding General, 8th Air Force. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:43.001 [...] 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:45.000 Good to see you. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:47.001 How are you coming to this camera training film of yours? 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:49.001 Well it's a little early to tell you it's hurt. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:52.000 But we're turning a camera on everything and everybody. 00:07:52.001 --> 00:07:54.001 Well I know what General Arnold had in mind 00:07:54.001 --> 00:07:56.000 in having you make this gunnery picture. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:59.001 Captain Gable our gunners are already the best in the business. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:02.001 But if they were only 10% better it would cost the 00:08:02.001 --> 00:08:04.000 Germans another 100 fighters a month. 00:08:05.001 --> 00:08:07.000 So fire away gunners. 00:08:07.001 --> 00:08:09.001 Plenty more practice before that first mission. 00:08:10.001 --> 00:08:11.001 A sleeve is a fork-wool. 00:08:12.001 --> 00:08:13.000 Track him. 00:08:14.001 --> 00:08:17.000 If you don't he might get you and you might have to bail out. 00:08:17.001 --> 00:08:19.000 Over the channel perhaps. 00:08:19.001 --> 00:08:24.001 But if you do a spitfire of the Air Sea Rescue Service is bound to spot you. 00:08:25.001 --> 00:08:27.001 A stubborn, tough gang this outfit. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.001 They'll go after you anytime, any place. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:35.001 They picked up men three miles off the French coast with high defense batteries 00:08:35.001 --> 00:08:37.001 screaming, No you don't. 00:08:38.001 --> 00:08:42.001 Their answer is always, Sorry old boy, we will. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:01.001 You work on your identification of aircraft. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:06.000 Over here it's with a real McCoy, such as this captured Ju-88. 00:09:10.001 --> 00:09:12.001 There it is. 00:09:12.001 --> 00:09:15.000 Everything up forward, punched under the nose. 00:09:15.001 --> 00:09:18.001 But the Canadian pilot says it's a sweet flying ship. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:22.000 Yes sir, a dangerous all-purpose aircraft. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.001 Or the Heikl 111K. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:32.000 Here he's a bad ombre, but he makes good aeroplane gentlemen. 00:09:35.001 --> 00:09:38.000 These will be a happy sight in days to come. 00:09:38.001 --> 00:09:39.000 Your fighter escort. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:42.001 That big barrel nose job, circled in white. 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:45.001 Your own American P-47, the Thunderbolt. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:47.001 Side by side with a graceful spit. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:50.000 These are what you don't shoot at. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:57.001 You hear daily lectures on security given by Major Scott, your 00:09:57.001 --> 00:09:59.001 Scotch-born intelligence officer. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:01.001 Let's stop kidding ourselves. 00:10:02.001 --> 00:10:07.000 This flying field is only 20 minutes from the battlefront. 00:10:08.001 --> 00:10:10.001 The dumb spies have all been shot. 00:10:12.001 --> 00:10:14.001 The smart ones are still living. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:19.001 And you may run into one of them tonight at the Red Lion Pub. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:22.000 And if you go to the pub? 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:27.001 Remember, one pound is not one dollar, but four dollars. 00:10:28.001 --> 00:10:30.001 And that equals 20 shillings. 00:10:31.001 --> 00:10:38.000 One shilling equals 12 pennies, which equals 20 cents. 00:10:39.001 --> 00:10:44.000 One English penny equals two American pennies. 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:47.000 And don't throw your pennies around. 00:10:47.001 --> 00:10:52.000 Major, it seems to me the paper in this pound is not very durable. 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:55.001 What do you mean durable? I've had this one for 20 years. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:04.001 What is it, Fred? 00:11:06.001 --> 00:11:07.000 What is it? 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:10.000 One of those bitter lessons you learn in training. 00:11:10.001 --> 00:11:14.001 Flying close formation in rough air at low altitude is no good, gentlemen. 00:11:15.001 --> 00:11:18.001 Save that for high altitude when you're headed for the target. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:37.000 Next morning we crawl out of the 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.001 sack to find Britishers on the field again. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:42.001 Big Halifax bombers that have plastered Berlin during the night. 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:47.000 Their own fields closed in by weather, so they drop in on us for breakfast. 00:11:48.001 --> 00:11:51.001 Say, Percy, how's the ACAC over there? Rough? 00:11:52.001 --> 00:11:54.000 Well, not half bad, yay. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:57.001 Well, chineo lads, thanks to the M&A's. 00:11:58.001 --> 00:12:02.001 So long, Percy, old boy. We'll be finding out for ourselves one of these days. 00:12:09.001 --> 00:12:13.001 That day arrives. The order comes over the teletime. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:22.000 The communications clerk carries it to Colonel Milton, operations officer. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:27.000 Colonel Burns, deputy commander. The old man is on the phone. 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:30.001 Then in the briefing room... 00:12:30.001 --> 00:12:35.000 When summarizing, remember you're rude in to this DR point, where you go 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:37.001 northeast to avoid this black area. 00:12:38.001 --> 00:12:45.000 P-47s will escort you to about this point on the way in, and Spit 9s will meet 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:48.001 you about here on the way out and escort you all the way home. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:52.000 And now the weather officer. Weather's plenty important. 00:12:52.001 --> 00:12:57.001 You'll probably have to go over and above the altitude that you're scheduled to 00:12:57.001 --> 00:12:59.000 fly 23,000 feet. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:06.000 From the ID to the target, the winds will be very strong tailwinds, and your 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:10.001 ground speed should be well above 250, 260 miles an hour. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:17.001 The visibility is good everywhere east of that cold front, and the temperature at 00:13:17.001 --> 00:13:22.000 the target should be comparatively warm, minus 25 degrees centigrade. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:29.001 Today is your baptism of fire. 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:31.001 If Lieutenant R. Joropoulos...